Unhinged leftists often make the claim that the United States should support “Medicare for All,” free college, and other ridiculous ideas that would bury the country even deeper into debt. If you find yourself debating a leftist, how should you respond?

Personal. Responsibility. First of all, it is unfair to the millions of Americans who worked their way through college and did not take student loans, or to those who took student loans and already ​paid them off​. These people would have missed out on a free college degree!

Secondly, the vast majority of individuals who receive a college degree have ​higher earning potentials​ then those who did not attend college. According to a recent ​study​ conducted by Georgetown University, college graduates will earn roughly $1,000,000 more than someone who did not go to college. In other words, while they may be struggling financially as a fresh college graduate, that investment in their education will eventually pay off.

Creating free college does not address the rising costs of higher education, which is the main cause of student debt. Since 1968, the cost of a college degree has more than ​doubled​. Thus, schools should implement ​policies​ that would lower tuition costs in general, which would help solve the student loan crisis.

Socialists also assert that they would like “to raise mass awareness about the broader failures of capitalism and uphold a socialist alternative.” When anyone talks about capitalism failing, a ​rebuttal​ must be given.

From the year 1970 to 2006, the number of people living in extreme poverty across the world fell by 80%. This massive reduction is a direct result of countries’ economies globalizing and engaging in free trade, two capitalistic principles.

Furthermore, free markets have been the impetus for drastically reducing poverty for the past two centuries. In 1820, the global poverty rate stood at 94%. In 2011, that number was 17%. The economic growth that capitalism has been responsible for is unprecedented.

The innovation that capitalism has spurred has led to drastic cost reductions in household products. A study done by three economists at ​Deloitte​ found that “in 1948, a Freed-Eiseman 16-inch TV cost $795 in the U.S., roughly a quarter of the average annual salary, or roughly $12,000.” Today, a top-of-the-line TV normally costs under $1,000. This drastic reduction is all thanks to capitalism.

So, if you come across a socialist and want to debate with them, calmly bringing up these points in a well-versed manner will be sure to give you the edge- the facts are on your side.